Sacatepéquez Department, Administrative department with three volcanoes near Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Sacatepéquez is an administrative department in Guatemala's highlands comprising 16 municipalities spread across mountainous terrain. The region includes varied elevations and ecosystems that shape how people live and work throughout the area.
The department took its current form in 1839 and is named after a former city destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. That disaster reshaped settlement patterns and administrative organization in the region.
Local markets throughout the towns sell handmade textiles, carved wood items, and pottery that blend indigenous and Spanish craft traditions. You can observe how these crafts remain part of daily life and community identity.
The region is accessible from Guatemala City with various transport options connecting the different towns and villages. Spanish is widely spoken, and many residents also speak a local indigenous language.
Three volcanoes - Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango - shape the natural landscape and influence local weather patterns. This volcanic activity has enriched the soil and made the region productive for farming.
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